Alabama
SEC Coaches Classic presented by Hampton Inn by Hilton
Alabama Men’s Tennis Concludes SEC Coaches Classic Presented by Hampton Inn by Hilton
11/6/2016 12:32:00 PM | Men's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama men's tennis team collected three singles wins to conclude the Southeastern Conference Coaches Classic Presented by Hampton Inn by Hilton on Sunday at the Alabama Tennis Stadium. The Crimson Tide's sophomore Mazen Osama and freshman Thibault Cancel were named champions of their respective singles draws.
The Tide collected six doubles victories and 14 singles wins in the three-day event.
"Super weekend of tennis, and it is always special to play at home," said head coach George Husack. "Mother Nature was more than kind and our athletic department staff put all their hands and hearts together to host a quality event. Our guys ended their fall tournament season on a high note as they were challenged physically and mentally from start to finish."
The Tide's No. 34 nationally ranked singles player in Osama won the championship of the Jeff Robinson singles draw in straight sets against a quality opponent in Kentucky's Trey Yates, 6-2, 6-3. Both players made deep runs in their ITA Regional Championships, as Osama reached the semifinals of the Southern Region and Yates fell short in the finals of the Ohio Valley Region.
Cancel outlasted Tim Sandkaulen of Ole Miss in a match that was decided in three sets to claim the championship of the Francisco Rodriguez singles draw, 6-1, 6-7(8), 6-1. Moreover, the win against Sandkaulen was significant because Cancel was able to get his revenge after falling short to him earlier this year in the Southern Regionals.
Kruunenberg went on to win the consolation championship in the John Stimpson singles draw in straight sets over Gus Benson of Kentucky, 6-1, 6-3.
"I felt our players improved as the tournament went on so they could give it their all through the finish line," said Husack. "I'm happy for the guys that won their respective divisions as it's always nice to get a carrot or two for the effort. We will continue to train until the fall semester ends and be ready to tackle the Spring season in early January."
Alabama's draws in the 2016 SEC Coaches Classic are named after six previous ITA All-Americans. The three singles draws are named after Jeff Robinson, Francisco Rodriguez and John Stimpson. Robinson was named an All-American in 1976 and 1977, and Rodriguez earned the prestigious accolade in 1998 and 1999. Stimpson was named to the singles and doubles All-American list in the 1986 and 1990 season. The three doubles draws are named after Ellis Ferreira, Andy Solis and Greg Hahn. Ferreira was named to the doubles All-American list in 1989, 1990 and 1991. Hahn was named to the singles and doubles All-American list in 1985, and Solis was a singles All-American in 1984 and a doubles All-American in 1985.
Alabama Results:
Singles Results:
Cameron Andry (LSU) defeated Hayes Brewer (Alabama) 6-2, 6-1
Mazen Osama (Alabama) defeated Trey Yates (Kentucky) 6-2, 6-3
Filip Kraljevic (Ole Miss) defeated Spencer Richey (Alabama) 6-3, 7-5
Ritchie Kruunenberg (Alabama) defeated Gus Benson (Kentucky) 6-1, 6-3
Tate Allwardt (Vanderbilt) defeated Alexey Nesterov (Alabama) 6-1, 4-6, 6-1
Thibault Cancel (Alabama) defeated Tim Sandkaulen (Ole Miss) 6-1, 6-7(8), 6-1
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Players Mentioned
